June 17 2018 is Father’s Day and we’re celebrating with a reading list all about dads (and a few grandpas) and what makes them great. Here are 10 picture books we love about great dads!
The Better Tree Fort “Let’s build a tree fort,” Russell says to his dad when they move into a house with a big maple tree in the backyard. His dad doesn’t know much about building, but he gamely follows Russell’s plan. Several trips to the lumber store later, the tree fort is done. There is no slide, balcony or skylight like Russell imagined, but it is perfect — right up until he notices another tree fort going up three houses over. |
The Day Day Joined My Soccer Team A soccer dad misunderstands when he hears that his son’s team needs his help. Instead of taking care of halftime snacks, the dad grabs a jersey and runs onto the field to play! And what an embarrassment he is: he hogs the ball, complains about his teammates and throws a hairy fit when the referee doesn’t call a play his way! Can the boy find a way to teach his dad how to be a good sport before he drives the whole team crazy? |
Dipnetting Set in the beautiful landscape of the Cariboo Chilcotin region, this is a delightful story of a father teaching his son the Secwepemc method of fishing known as dipnetting. Together they visit the Sweat Lodge, mend the nets, select the best fishing spot and catch and pack their fish through rugged bush back to the family home for traditional preparation. |
Give Me Back My Dad! Cheryl and her dad go ice fishing, but it turns out that the fish are pretty smart. They are trying to catch the people right back! In the end, Cheryl and her father bring home something really good . . . and it’s not a fish at all! Amazon | Indigo | Canadian Bookstores | Wholesalers
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Grandfather and the Moon Grandfather sinks into depression when his beloved wife succumbs to cancer. His granddaughter has a different response. She enters the Who Will Go to the Moon Contest, and when she actually wins, she hopes that Grandfather will be proud of her. She embarks on the thrilling journey, which takes an unexpected turn. This title is also available in French as Grand-père et la Lune. |
Hand Over Hand When Nina asks her grandfather (Lolo) to take her fishing, his answer is always the same: “A boat is not the place for a girl.” But Nina is determined. So her Lolo shows her how to jig the lines, set the hook and pull in a fish, hand over hand — and Nina proves to everyone in their Filipino village that girls can fish! Amazon | Indigo | Canadian Bookstores | Wholesalers
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It’s Great Being A Dad A gang of mythical creatures is roaming around a magical land having a great time, until Bigfoot gets his foot stuck in a tree trunk and Unicorn gets her horn impaled on a table and Robot’s saw-arm gets rusted into position. But have no fear! Dad is there to fix things–even when a Sneaky Flying Alligator Pirate steals the Fairy Queen Ballerina Doctor’s wand. |
The Magician’s Secret Charlie loves when Grandpa comes to babysit because he always brings his magical imagination. Grandpa was a magician who knows the most amazing tricks; he can pull a rabbit from a hat and make a coin disappear. But what Charlie loves most are his wonderful adventure stories, and they all begin with something his grandfather has saved in his Magic Story Chest. |
A Picnic at the Lighthouse This picture book tells the heartwarming story of a young boy and his father who spend a fun-filled day together at a lighthouse. Together they drink lemonade, watch whales playing in the ocean and eat chocolate cake. A gentle story about the special moments between a young boy and his father and the depth of a parent’s love. |
Playing from the Heart When Raj begins playing beautiful music on the family’s piano, his amazed father gets him a teacher. Raj learns notes, then scales and finally classical pieces — his father is proud. But the more Raj practises and the more skilled he becomes, the less he enjoys playing, until he stops altogether. But when his father is old and sick, can Raj remember how to play from the heart? |
